From IIT graduates to school dropouts: Bihar’s key election candidates by education

As Bihar gears up for its 2025 Assembly Elections, scheduled in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting on November 14, several prominent political figures are contesting for a seat in the 243-member Bihar Legislative Assembly. These leaders represent a spectrum of educational backgrounds, from doctoral degrees to incomplete schooling.

Here's a look at the educational qualifications of top Bihar assembly election candidates:

1. Dr. Divya Gautam (CPI–ML)

Qualification: Postgraduate in Journalism & Mass Communication; UGC-NET Qualified; PhD

Background: A cousin of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, Divya Gautam stands out as one of the most academically accomplished candidates in this election. 

2. Samrat Choudhary (BJP)

Qualification: Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) from the University of California (claimed)

Controversy: According to the Bihar School Examination Board, Choudhary did not clear his Class 10 (matriculation) exams, casting doubt on his claimed degree.

Position: Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

3. Prashant Kishor (Jan Suraaj Party)

Qualification: Alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur (claimed)

Background: Known as a high-profile political strategist before launching his own party, Jan Suraaj, Kishor's academic background adds weight to his technocratic image.

4. Chirag Paswan (Lok Janshakti Party)

Qualification: B.Tech in Computer Science, Institute of Engineering and Technology

Role: Union Minister and party leader

Background: Paswan combines a technical education with political legacy, being the son of late Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.

5. Vijay Sinha (BJP)

Qualification: B.Tech in Civil Engineering, Muzaffarpur Institute of Technology

Position: Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

6. Nitish Kumar (JDU)

Qualification: Degree in Electrical Engineering, Bihar College of Engineering (now NIT Patna)

Profile: The incumbent Chief Minister and a veteran of Bihar politics.

7. Tejashwi Yadav (RJD)

Qualification: Studied up to Class 9, Delhi Public School (DPS), RK Puram

Career Shift: Left formal education to pursue cricket; later transitioned into politics

Background: Former Deputy CM and heir to the Lalu Prasad Yadav legacy, Tejashwi is one of the youngest faces in the fray.

Bihar Assembly elections 2025 overview

Election Dates: November 6 and 11, 2025

Counting of Votes: November 14, 2025

Seats Up for Grabs: 243 Legislative Assembly seats

Key Parties in the Fray: BJP, RJD, JDU, Jan Suraaj Party, LJP, CPI (ML)